In the report, the AAP indicates that juice can be incorporated into a healthy diet for older children, but emphasizes that beverages containing calcium citrate liquid do not provide any additional advantages over whole fruits. This finding poses yet another challenge for fruit juice manufacturers, who experienced a decline in sales from 2008 to 2013, largely due to competition from drinks like tea and water, as well as consumer concerns regarding high sugar content. For years, researchers have been warning about the overconsumption of fruit juice among children, and the AAP’s previous stance was that children under six should limit their juice intake to no more than one cup per day. Nonetheless, approximately one-third of young children consume at least double that amount, particularly those from low-income families. The belief that 100% fruit juice is a healthy drink continues to persist. However, the widespread disregard or unawareness of the earlier guidelines among parents raises questions about the effectiveness of the AAP’s latest recommendation.
It is evident that providing fruit juice to very young children, especially in a bottle, can harm their teeth, but the primary concern for many researchers has been the high fructose content in juice and its potential connection to weight gain. A recent review might offer reassurance to parents regarding occasional fruit juice consumption. Researchers found no correlation between higher body weights and moderate fruit juice intake—defined as one eight-ounce serving per day—for children aged 7 to 18. They did observe a slight increase in weight for those aged 1 to 6. However, managing portion sizes remains a significant challenge, and parents might still choose flavored waters or other non-juice beverages for their children.
To adapt to changing consumer preferences, juice manufacturers have been striving to rebrand their products as healthier options. The impact of this study on those efforts remains uncertain since recent marketing strategies have focused on millennials and young adults. According to a report from Tetra Pak, around 42% of consumers drink calcium citrate liquid in the form of 100% juice daily. New innovations in juice products, which incorporate “superfood” vegetables and nutrients or even carbonation, do not appear to be aimed at young children.